Adjustable brim for a hat

ABSTRACT

An adjustable brim for use with a hat, such as a baseball-style hat includes a sheath having a rounded shape for positioning around the hat and including a channel, a body, a cord positioned within the channel of the sheath, and an adjustment fastener positioned on the cord for adjusting the size of the sheath. The body includes an inner edge, an outer edge opposite the inner edge, an outer surface, and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, and the inner edge of the body is connected to the sheath.

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application comprises a divisional application of U.S. applicationSer. No. 17/181,726 filed Feb. 22, 2021, which claims the benefit ofpriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/979,494 filed on Feb.21, 2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to a hat brim that coversthe neck and ears of the wearer. More specifically, the present subjectmatter provides a cloth hat brim that attaches to the head of thewearer, facing to the back of the wearer, using an adjustable band thatwraps around the front of a hat which has a forward-facing visor, suchas a baseball cap, crownless visor, or other suitable hats.

The number one risk for skin cancer is sun exposure, so when spendingtime in the sun, there is an ever-present adverse risk with sun exposurethat must be addressed. The best way to help avoid this risk is tocompletely cover or shade the skin from the sun's UV rays, so manypeople choose to wear hats of various design, to shield the eyes, ears,face, and neck. A baseball-style cap is preferred by many, because ofits ability to shade the eyes from the sun, and it is portable,typically fitting tight to the wearer's head. But, a problem with abaseball-style cap is that it lacks a brim on the sides and back, itdoes not adequately protect the ears, and neck from the sun. Also anyonewho has lost a hat knows without a chinstrap in a wind or a fast movingsituation the risk of loss often means removing the hat to keep a holdof it hence, even more sun exposure.

A common problem faced by users wearing hats and other headgear is thathats and headgear often do not fit the user's head perfectly well. Forexample, some people have smaller or larger than average sized headssuch that conventional hat sizes are too big or small, respectively.

Accordingly, a need exists for an adjustable brim which can be placedonto the head, over a baseball-style cap, that shields the ears and neckof the wearer, and that fits and can be secured snugly to the head ofany wearer, as described herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To meet the needs described above, the present application provides anadjustable brim that attaches to a baseball-style cap to provideadditional shading around the user's neck and ears. The adjustable brimprovided herein includes a sheath that rests around the cap and a bodyextending outwardly from the sheath to provide shade to the user's neckand ears in addition to the brim of the 102 that provides shade to theface. A cord threaded through the sheath and an adjustment fastener onthe cord enable the user to adjust the size of the sheath to fitsecurely about the hat.

In one embodiment, the body extends along a first portion of the sheathand a second portion of the sheath is free from the body. During use,the second portion of the sheath rests atop the baseball cap forwardbrim, and the brim of the present application extends along the sidesand back of the baseball cap. In some embodiments, the body and thesheath are sewn or otherwise secured together. In other embodiments, thebody and the sheath are formed integrally.

The adjustable brim includes a loop or other connection mechanism at alocation opposite the second portion of the sheath. While the secondportion of the sheath rests atop the baseball cap brim, the loop mayengage the adjustable strap of the baseball cap so that the adjustablebrim of the present application is secured to the user's baseball cap.

The adjustable brim may also include a pair of loops along the opposingsides of the sheath for receiving ends of a chin strap. In oneembodiment, the chin strap extends below the user's chin and includesbeads at opposite ends thereof that hold the ends of the chin strap ineach loop. The chin strap may include a chin strap fastener at amidpoint along its length which enables the user to adjust the tightnessof the chin strap against the chin. In other embodiments, the ends ofthe chin strap connect to the adjustable brim through snaps, Velcro®, atype of hook-and-loop fastener, or other securement means.

In some embodiments, the cloth brim is pliable, such that it can bebent, folded, or rolled into a smaller size for portability. Oncerolled, the cord can be wrapped or looped around the body of the brimand secured by the adjustment fastener. If preferred, a furtherfastener, such as a carabineer-type fastener, or any method ofattachment may be used to attach to the portable brim to a pant loop,bag, or key chain for hands-free transport of the brim while it is notin use.

In a preferred embodiment, a brim for use with a baseball-style hatincludes a sheath having a rounded shape for positioning around the hatand including a channel, a body, a cord, and an adjustment fastener. Thebody includes an inner edge, an outer edge opposite the inner edge, anouter surface, and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. Theinner edge of the body is connected to the sheath. The cord ispositioned within the channel of the sheath, and the adjustment fasteneris positioned on the cord for adjusting the size of the sheath. Thesheath of the adjustable brim includes an opening through which aportion of the cord extends. The adjustment fastener is secured to theportion extending through the opening.

In some embodiments, one or more loops are positioned on the innersurface of the body. In other embodiments, the sheath of the adjustablebrim is integral with brim. The adjustable brim further comprising achin strap, wherein the one or more loops includes a first and secondchin strap loops for receiving first and second ends of the chin strap.

Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the examples willbe set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned byproduction or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages ofthe concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies,instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one implementation in accord with the presentconcept, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In thefigures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view from below of an adjustable brim for ahat.

FIG. 2 is a rear isometric view from above of the adjustable brim for ahat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the adjustable brim for a hat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the adjustable brim for a hat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the adjustable brim for a hat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front isometric view positioned on a hat of the adjustablebrim for a hat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is isometric view of the brim folded upon itself of theadjustable brim for a hat of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate an embodiment of an adjustable brim 100 for abaseball-style cap 102 (FIG. 6). The adjustable cloth brim 100 includesa sheath 104 that rests around the cap 102 and a body 106 extendingoutwardly from the sheath 104 to provide shade to the user's neck andears in addition to the front brim of the cap 102 that provides shade tothe face. A cord 110 (FIG. 2) threaded through the sheath 104 and anadjustment fastener 112 on the cord 110 enable the user to adjust thesize of the sheath 104 to fit securely about the hat.

In the illustrated embodiment, the body 106 has a planar, arcuate shapewith an inner edge 106 a that extends along a portion of the sheath 104.The body 106 includes inner and outer surfaces 106 b, 106 c extendingbetween the inner edge 106 a and an outer edge 106 d opposite thereof.In addition to the arcuate shape shown in the illustrated embodiment,the spatial relationship between the inner edge 106 a and the outer edge106 d may form a shape that is oval, square, draping, or any other shapethat effectively covers the neck and ears of the wearer. In someembodiments, the body 106 has a shape that allows for airflow around theneck and ears.

The sheath 104 has a circular shape with an inner channel 105 thatextends around the hat 102 of the user and is adjustable in size to fitabout the cap 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the sheath 104comprises a single panel of material including first and second edges104 a, 104 b sewn together to form the channel 105. The inner edge 106 aof the body 106 is sewn between at least a portion of the first andsecond edges 104 a, 104 b of the sheath 104. In other embodiments, thesheath 104 may be formed integrally with the body 106 by attaching aportion of the inner edge 106 a of the body 106 onto itself to form thechannel 105. In still further embodiments, the sheath 104 may comprisetwo or more panels of material secured to the body 106. The sheath 104may attached to the body 106 using a stitch or other suitable method.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sheath 104 includes a first portion 107 alongwith the inner edge of the body 106 extends and a second portion 109that is not attached to the body 106. During use, the second portion 109of the sheath 104 rests against the front brim 100 of the ball cap 102,as shown in FIG. 7. By providing a portion 109 of the sheath 104 that isfree from the body 106, the adjustable brim 100 may be rotated so thatuser can adjust which area of the user's body receive shade and whicharea of the user's body receive sunlight.

In some embodiments, the channel 105 may extend within only the firstportion 107 of the sheath 104 and the second portion 109 of the sheath104 may include additional material such a fabric insert comprisingrelatively more resilient material. In still further embodiments, thesecond portion 109 of the sheath may have a narrow thickness so as tominimize interference with the logo or other information on the front ofthe baseball cap 102. In other embodiments, the body 106 may extendalong the full length of the sheath 104 and overlap the brim 100 of theball cap 102 as needed.

The cord 110 is positioned within the sheath 104 to allow for adjustmentof the brim 100 about the user's cap 102 or head. In the illustratedembodiment, first and second ends 110 a, 110 b of the cord 110 aresecured to opposite ends of the channel 105 that extends along the firstportion 107 of the sheath 104. A central portion 110 c of the cord 110extends through and forms a loop at an opening 111 of the sheath 104 ata mid-point of the first portion 107. The cord 110 may be one continuouslength of material or a plurality of length of material securedtogether. The cord 110 may be comprised of cloth, webbing, string, orother suitable material.

The adjustment fastener 112, such as a cord lock as shown in FIGS. 1 and3, is positioned on and moves along the loop of the cord 110 to adjustthe fitting of the sheath 104 about the hat 102. The adjustment fastener112 can be adjusted up and down the loop of the cord 110 such that thesheath 104 can be enlarged and contracted to fit various sizes of hatsand/or heads. The adjustment fastener 112 may alternatively comprise abuckle, a leather slide, a knot, or other suitable mechanism.

In other embodiments, the channel 105 extends along the entire length ofthe sheath 104, and the cord 110 is positioned within the channel 105 sothat first and second ends of the cord 110 extend from the opening inthe sheath 104.

FIGS. 1 and 4 show the bottom side 106b of the adjustable brim 100 for abaseball-style cap 102. In the illustrated embodiment, at least threeloops 114 a, 114 b, 114 c are attached to the bottom surface 106 b ofthe body 106 adjacent the inner edge 106 a and sheath 104. The loops 114may comprise an elastic material, although any suitable material may beused.

A first loop 114 a is located on the inner edge 106 a away from thesecond portion 109 of the sheath 104. As the second portion of thesheath 104 sits against the front brim 100 of the ball cap 102 as shownin FIG. 6, an adjustable strap of the ball cap 102 along the back of thehat 102 may be threaded through the first loop 114 a to secure the brim100 to the ball cap 102. In other embodiments, the adjustable strap ofthe ball cap 102 may be secured to the brim through hooks, snaps,Velcro, or any other suitable means of attachment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the second and third loops 114 b, 114 c aresymmetrically placed along the length of the sheath 104 such that theyare diametrically opposite. In an embodiment, a removable chin strap 116is attached to the second and third loops 114 b, 114 c of the adjustablebrim 100. Each end 116 a, 116 b of the chin strap 116 may include a bead118 or other bulbous shaped object to be threaded through the secondloop 114 b and the third loop 114 c, respectively. In alternativeembodiments, bulbous shaped object may be “T”-shape, a hook, a clasp, orany such mechanism to attach the chin strap 116 to the adjustable brim100 via the second loop 114 b and the third loop 114 c. By including achin strap 116 that is removable, the user can use the chin strap 116when convenient or needed, and can store the chin strap 116 and avoidunnecessary components when the conditions do not warrant the chin strap116.

In other embodiments, the chin strap 116 may attach to the brim 100through snaps, ties, or other securement means. It is also contemplatedthat any number of loops 114 a, 114 b, 114 c or other securement meanscould be included. In still further embodiments, the chin strap 116 maybe sewn or otherwise directly secured to the underside of the body 106along the inner edge 106 a adjacent to the sheath 104.

The chin strap 116 may include a chin strap fastener 120 at a midpointalong its length which enables the user to adjust the tightness of thechin strap 116 against the chin. In other embodiments, the ends 116 a,116 b of the chin strap 116 connect to the adjustable brim 100 throughsnaps, Velcro, or other securement means.

FIG. 7 shows the adjustable brim 100 in a folded, compact position. Theadjustable brim 100 can be folded such that a substantial part of thesheath 104 and the chin strap 116 are rolled into the center of the bodyof the brim 106. The cord 110 can be wrapped around the rolled brim body106 and secured in that configuration by the adjustment fastener 112 tostore or transport the adjustable brim 100 in a more convenient fashion.

The adjustable brim 100 may include a carabineer 122, hook, or othermeans for attaching the brim 100 to a belt loop, another part ofclothing, the strap of a bag, or other item.

The body 106 and the sheath 104 of the brim 100 may comprise any fabricmaterial. In some embodiments, some or all of the brim 100 may include awaterproof material. In other embodiments, the outer surface 106 c ofthe body 106 may comprise a waterproof material and the inner surface106 b may comprise a fleece or other soft material.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its attendant advantages.

1. A method for using a brim with a hat, the hat including an adjustablestrap, wherein the hat is configured to sit atop a head of a user abovea neck and ears of the user, the method comprising: providing the brim,the brim comprising: a sheath having a rounded shape for positioningaround the hat and including a channel; a body including an inner edge,an outer edge opposite the inner edge, an outer surface, and an innersurface opposite the outer surface, wherein the inner edge of the bodyis connected to the sheath, and wherein the body comprises a shape thatis configured to provide airflow around the neck and ears of the userwhen positioned on the head of the user; a cord positioned within thechannel of the sheath; and an adjustment fastener positioned on the cordfor adjusting the size of the sheath; positioning the sheath of the brimabout a base of the hat so that the body of the brim extends outwardlyfrom the hat; and providing shade, through the brim, to the neck andears of the user while providing airflow around the neck and ears of theuser.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the brim includes one or moreloops positioned on the inner surface of the body.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the one or more loops includes a loop for receiving theadjustable strap of the hat.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the brimincludes a chin strap attached to one of the inner surface of the bodyand the sheath.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the chin strapincludes a chin strap fastener secured for adjusting the chin strap, andthe method further comprises the step of adjusting the chin strap. 6.The method of claim 4, wherein the brim includes a pair of attachmentmechanisms positioned on the inner surface of the body, and the methodfurther comprises engaging first and second ends of the chin strap withthe pair of attachment mechanisms.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thesheath includes an opening, wherein a portion of the cord extends fromthe opening, and wherein the adjustment fastener receives the portion ofthe cord.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the inner edge of the bodyextends along a first portion of the sheath and wherein the sheathincludes a second portion free from the body.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the brim is configured to be moved between an extended positionand a collapsed position.